Early Day Motions tabled on Thursday 25 March 2021 - Commons business papers
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Published: Friday 26 March 2021
Early Day Motions tabled on
Thursday 25 March 2021
Early Day Motions (EDMs) are motions for which no days have been fixed.
The number of signatories includes all members who have added their names in support of the Early
Day Motion (EDM), including the Member in charge of the Motion.
EDMs and added names are also published on the EDM database at www.parliament.uk/edm
[R] Indicates that a relevant interest has been declared.
New EDMs
1698 Opposition and democracy in Turkey
Tabled: 25/03/21 Signatories: 3
Chris Stephens
Alyn Smith
Stewart Malcolm McDonald
That this House is deeply concerned by the legal process underway in Turkey to shut down the
second largest opposition party in Turkey, the People’s Democratic Party (HDP); notes the case
filed by Chief Public Prosecutor Bekir Sahin in the Constitutional Court, which claims that the
HDP aimed to disrupt the unity and territorial integrity of the State; understands that the attacks
on the HDP are also an attack on the democratic rights of the six million plus citizens of Turkey
who voted for them; commends the work being done by the HDP in attempting democratic steps
towards a peaceful resolution to the Kurdish question; condemns the Turkish Government for
trying to criminalise the democratic voice of millions of its citizens; calls for the immediate release
of 11 democratically elected former HDP members of Parliament; calls for the release of the
thousands of people imprisoned simply for membership of the peaceful, political HDP; is further
deeply concerned by the withdrawal, in the same week of Turkey, from the Istanbul Convention,
which seeks to protect women from gender-based violence; and calls on the Government to
make representations to the Turkish authorities to halt the continuing assault on democracy,
the criminalisation of democratic opposition and the assault on human rights, and to press for
a genuine rules-based international community and for human rights compliance amongst UK
trading partners.2 Friday 26 March 2021 EARLY DAY MOTIONS
1699 Jim Ralston of the 1st Loanhead Boys Brigade
Tabled: 25/03/21 Signatories: 1
Owen Thompson
That this House gives its sincere and heartfelt thanks to Jim Ralston for his twelve years of service as
Captain of the 1st Loanhead Boys Brigade and his many years of selfless voluntary work on behalf of
them, as well as the local community; recognises Jim as a towering figure of the community whose
outstanding and unwavering commitment to the Boys Brigade principles of obedience, reverence,
discipline and self-respect has undoubtedly had a profound positive impact on the lives of countless
children and young people over the years; notes that Jim has been instrumental in Boys Brigade
activities such as competitions, awards and fundraising both in the local community and beyond,
including through Project Stedfast, a Boys Brigade charity project which has led to the building of
St Andrews School and Disabled Centre in Oloolua Ngong, Kenya; further notes that this serves as
an example of Jim’s hard-working and selfless nature, compassion for struggling and disadvantaged
young people around the world and strength in leadership; and, following Jim’s decision to step
down as Captain, warmly wishes him all the very best for the future.
1700 Rental increases for the courtyard societies
Tabled: 25/03/21 Signatories: 1
Deidre Brock
That this House notes with concern the increase in rent of approximately 3000% between 2012 and
2018, charged by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to the “courtyard
societies” - the Geological Society of London, the Linnean Society, the Royal Astronomical Society,
and the Society of Antiquaries; further notes that the Geological Society of London, founded
in 1807, is the oldest geological society in the world and a world leader in earth sciences; that
the Linnean Society was the setting for the launch of Darwin's theory of evolution, and that the
courtyard societies continue to promote learning in the modern age; and calls on the Government
to reverse the rent increases and offer long-term security to these societies as an investment in
scientific endeavour and the betterment of humankind.
1701 Thomas Harold - Boys Brigade Captain
Tabled: 25/03/21 Signatories: 1
Chris Stephens
That this House recognises the life and work of Thomas Harold, former Boys Brigade Captain who
helped and supported young people across Pollok community for more than 60 years, who passed
away on 28 February 2021, aged 71; notes that he was an integral part of the 208th Glasgow
Greater Pollok Boys Brigade for over six decades and helped shape the lives of countless young
people, spending 50 years as an officer and 27 years as Captain, playing an integral part as Officer in
Charge of the Junior Section until his death; and sends our deepest condolences to his many family
and friends, including the Boys Brigade community.
1702 Reusable Nappies Week
Tabled: 25/03/21 Signatories: 1
David Linden
That this House congratulates all those involved with Reusable Nappies Week 2021; notes with
concern the average plastic consumption of single-use nappies per child is equivalent to throwing
away 17 plastic bags a day, or over 6,000 per year; acknowledges that nearly three billion nappiesFriday 26 March 2021 EARLY DAY MOTIONS 3
are thrown away annually in the UK, costing local authorities £60 million per annum for disposal;
recognises that reducing reliance on single-use nappies supports the objectives of the 25 Year
Environment Plan to eliminate all avoidable waste by 2050 and all avoidable plastic waste by
2042; welcomes that reusable nappies use 98 per cent fewer raw materials, generate 99 per cent
less waste and can save families over £1000 if used on one or more children; further notes with
interest the recent publication of the UN Environment Programme report recommending the use
of reusable nappies; understands that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has
commissioned a new Life Cycle Assessment on the environmental impact of single-use and reusable
nappies; and calls on the Department to ensure that this is conducted thoroughly and that it is
followed up with a coherent strategy to address the impact of single-use nappies.
Added Names
Below are EDMs tabled in the last two weeks to which names have been added. Only the first 6
names and any new names are included.
1640 Peace and accountability in Libya
Tabled: 15/03/21 Signatories: 8
Margaret Ferrier
Jonathan Edwards
Steven Bonnar
Jim Shannon
John McDonnell
Hywel Williams
Marion Fellows
That this House welcomes the UN-sponsored intra-Libyan political talks to agree a unified
governance framework and ensure a lasting peace; notes with deep concern the serious war crimes
and human rights violations that have been committed by the warring parties in the protracted
conflict in Libya since 2011; stresses the importance of justice for the many victims of these
widespread violations, by ensuring there are effective investigations and prosecutions of the alleged
perpetrators, believed to include British nationals who were former Royal Marine commandos
and involved in mercenary operations for the Libyan National Army led by Khalifa Haftar; further
notes the reports of drone strikes and attacks on civilians in Libya and other violations committed
by foreign countries which should also be investigated; supports the work of the Fact-finding
Mission on Libya established by the UN Human Rights Council, and other initiatives to ensure
meaningful accountability; further supports the call by the UN Mission in Libya for the immediate
closure of migrant detention centres in that country, further to reports of arbitrary detention,
torture, extrajudicial killings and sexual violence; and urges the Government to work with others
in the international community to secure accountability for these violations and for countries and
mercenaries, including British nationals, who have supported the warring parties.4 Friday 26 March 2021 EARLY DAY MOTIONS
1647 Reduction of free plastic toys
Tabled: 15/03/21 Signatories: 14
Liz Saville Roberts
Hywel Williams
Ben Lake
Jonathan Edwards
Kirsty Blackman
Jim Shannon
Jeremy Corbyn
That this House recognises the efforts of ten-year-old Skye Neville from Fairbourne, Gwynedd for
her campaign encouraging magazine and comic publishers to stop giving away plastic toys with
their publications; further recognises that nearly three thousand people have so far signed her
online petition drawing attention to the devastating impact discarded plastic is having on our
oceans and natural environment; applauds Skye for her passionate advocacy of environmental
issues, her involvement in local litter picks and her family’s commitment to recycling; welcomes steps
by fast food giant McDonalds to stop putting plastic toys in their Happy Meals; and calls on the
Government to encourage publishers to make their magazines more environmentally friendly and
reduce their carbon footprint.
1652 Impact of allowing gene-editing and divergence from EU food standards
Tabled: 16/03/21 Signatories: 28
Grahame Morris
Ian Mearns
Claudia Webbe
Jim Shannon
Navendu Mishra
Paula Barker
Jon Cruddas
That this House has grave concerns over the Government’s proposal to authorise in England the
use of gene-editing technologies in agriculture and food and drink manufacturing; notes that,
since Brexit, any substantial regulatory divergence between the UK and EU poses a major threat to
UK exports into European markets, and also for the export of goods from mainland UK ports into
Northern Ireland; shares the concern of Unite the Union that such divergence from the approach
of EU regulation over gene-editing would have yet more catastrophic impacts including the loss
of thousands of jobs and undermining of the Northern Ireland protocol; observes that agriculture
is a devolved issue within the UK context, but that, in the event of gene-editing being allowed
in England, Scottish and Welsh products without gene-edited ingredients could still be denied
access to EU markets; fears the impact that the aggressive commercial exploitation of gene-
editing technologies would have on poor farmers in the global south, and on distracting Western
governments from addressing the structural causes of climate change; and therefore believes
that the Government’s approach to this issue must continue to be subject to the precautionary
principle, must not be made in the absence of a robust scientific evidence-base on the long-term
impacts of such technologies, must not allow multinational corporations to exert undue influence
via proprietary rights, and must not pre-empt decision-making by the devolved nations or the UK's
European partners.Friday 26 March 2021 EARLY DAY MOTIONS 5
1654 Neurodiversity celebration week
Tabled: 16/03/21 Signatories: 29
Dr Lisa Cameron
Jim Shannon
Jonathan Edwards
Rachel Hopkins
Allan Dorans
Chris Law
Sammy Wilson
That this House recognizes Neurodiversity Celebration week which commences on March 15th;
understands 720,000 children celebrate Neurodiversity week worldwide; acknowledges that at least
15% of children in the U.K have a learning difference; notes that a lot of neurodiverse children have
negative school experiences; further recognizes it’s important to change the narrative surrounding
developmental difficulties, including ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia; understands that
neurodiversity is a strength and applauds the creativity and innovation of our neurodiverse children;
celebrates the work of the founder and campaigner Siena Castellon of neurodiversity celebration
week who recently won the Commonwealth Youth Award; and further notes the importance of
championing neurodiversity and challenging stigma associated with developmental difficulty.
1658 UK-EU veterinary agreement
Tabled: 18/03/21 Signatories: 21
Stephen Farry
Jonathan Edwards
Claire Hanna
John McDonnell
Ben Lake
Alan Brown
Sarah Olney
That this House recognises that the absence of a UK-EU veterinary agreement on sanitary and
phytosanitary rules on movements of animals and food products between Great Britain and the EU
and between Great Britain and Northern Ireland is creating major barriers for UK food exporters
and also significantly contributes to the volume of checks in relation to the implementation of the
Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol; understands that a veterinary agreement can be negotiated with
the EU through and building upon the EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement; and calls on the
Government to prioritise the negotiation of a bespoke UK-EU veterinary agreement.
1660 Colombian peace process
Tabled: 18/03/21 Signatories: 14
Tony Lloyd
Margaret Ferrier
Jonathan Edwards
Jeremy Corbyn
Sir Gary Streeter
Alan Brown
Marion Fellows
That this House is concerned by the intensification of violence in rural areas in Colombia, with 76
massacres and a 65 per cent increase in armed conflict in 2020, and against human rights defenders6 Friday 26 March 2021 EARLY DAY MOTIONS
there, with Colombian defenders representing 50 per cent of the global total killed in 2020, which
threaten to undermine the peace process; notes that communities on the Pacific coast of Colombia
are experiencing a humanitarian and environmental crisis; further notes that Indigenous Peoples
in Alto Baudó and other communities in Choco are increasingly caught in crossfire between illegal
armed groups who are expanding their territorial control, forcibly recruiting children, perpetrating
sexual violence, using antipersonnel mines and creating an atmosphere of terror; is also disturbed
by reports of illegal gold mining in the Rio Quito region involving armed groups, which is
exacerbating violence and resulting in biodiversity destruction; is alarmed by the death threat
received in February by CAJAR lawyer, Sebastian Felipe Escobar, who spoke to UK Parliamentarians
at an on-line event in June 2020, as well as by serious threats directed at other human rights
defenders in Colombia; and calls on the Government, further to its responsibility as the penholder
on Colombia, to request the UN Security Council to create a Group of Experts with technical
expertise on organised crime to examine the impact of the illegal armed groups in Colombia
and provide technical advice, in order to strengthen the work of the UN Mission of Verification
in Colombia.
1662 Patrick George Zaki
Tabled: 18/03/21 Signatories: 10
Chris Law
Kirsten Oswald
Hywel Williams
Allan Dorans
Jim Shannon
Neale Hanvey
Kenny MacAskill
That this House is dismayed by the continued imprisonment of Egyptian student and human rights
activist Patrick George Zaki; notes with concern that Mr Zaki was detained in early 2020 on a short
return to his home country from his course at the University of Bologna and has now been held for
over a year pending investigation; further notes that he has been accused of disseminating fake
news and inciting to protest through his work and advocacy for the Cairo-based human rights group
Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR); is concerned that other staff at the EIPR including
Executive Director Gasser Abdel-Razek have also been targeted by the Egyptian Authorities; praises
the work of organisations such as Amnesty and Scholars At Risk who have been raising international
awareness of Mr Zaki’s case; and calls on the Government to make further representations to the
Egyptian Government on Mr Zaki's imprisonment and welfare as a matter of urgency, and to urge
the Egyptian Government to immediately and unconditionally release him.
1668 Protection of religious minorities in Bangladesh
Tabled: 22/03/21 Signatories: 3
Bob Blackman
Jim Shannon
Stephen Timms
That this House condemns the recent attacks on religious minorities in Bangladesh; urges the
Government of Bangladesh to take strong steps to tackle the increasing levels of violence against
minority Hindu communities in that region and ensure their safety and security; and urges the UK
Government to encourage the Government of Bangladesh to put perpetrators of violence against
religious minorities in that region on trial as soon as possible.Friday 26 March 2021 EARLY DAY MOTIONS 7
1670 Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of The Indomitables' 1946 British Lions
Rugby League tour of Australia and New Zealand
Tabled: 22/03/21 Signatories: 5
Judith Cummins
Jim Shannon
Ms Marie Rimmer
Emma Hardy
Sir David Amess
That this House celebrates the 75th Anniversary of the The Indomitables' 1946 British Lions Rugby
League tour of Australia and New Zealand, where that team won the Ashes against Australia
scoring 2 to 0 in the first major sporting series played abroad by a British side in any sport after
the Second World War; notes that that team still remains the most successful Great Britain tour
team of all time, a side which was graced by Rugby League greats including, Salford Centre and
Captain Gus Risman, Widnes scrum-half Tommy McCue as vice-captain and Trevor Foster MBE of
Bradford Northern.
1673 Oban residents' donations to First Aid 4 Gambia
Tabled: 22/03/21 Signatories: 5
Brendan O'Hara
Jim Shannon
Alison Thewliss
Marion Fellows
David Linden
That this House thanks Oban residents for their generous donations to First Aid 4 Gambia;
highlights the fantastic work done by that charity and the founding trustee and chairman of that
charity, Bill Nelson; notes that local people from Oban donated first aid supplies such as walkers,
wheelchairs, crutches and walking sticks, which will be donated to the Edward Francis Teaching
Hospital in Banjul, Gambia; further thanks the organisers of the Oban Give and Get Free Facebook
page for promoting First Aid 4 Gambia and for encouraging donations to that charity.
1680 Israeli permit system: children and parents in Gaza
Tabled: 22/03/21 Signatories: 14
Kim Johnson
Dr Philippa Whitford
Paula Barker
Rachel Hopkins
Navendu Mishra
Mr Alistair Carmichael
Carol Monaghan
That this House condemns the inhumane practice of separation of children in Gaza who need
medical treatment from outside the Strip from their parents, who are routinely denied accompanier
passes by Israel; notes that since January 2018, Physicians for Human Rights Israel has assisted over
130 children including breastfed babies who needed to exit Gaza for medical treatment whose
parents were not granted permits so could not be by their side during operations, chemotherapy
and other treatments; further notes that as of October 2020, COGAT representatives noted in the
Knesset that 40 per cent of children exited for medical treatment without their parents; it expresses
profound concern at the serious psychological and physical implications for the children and the
violation of their right to health; adds its voice to calls from the Physicians for Human Rights Israel,8 Friday 26 March 2021 EARLY DAY MOTIONS
UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the European Academy of Pediatrics, the
International Society of Social Pediatrics and Child Health and others to ensure that every child
exiting Gaza will be accompanied by at least one of their parents and be able to access treatment
in a speedy manner; and calls on the Government to use its multilateral and bilateral relations with
Israel and do everything in its power to ensure it upholds its commitment to the Convention on the
Rights of the Child and to end its horrific ongoing separation of sick children from their parents.
1681 Atrocities against the Uyghurs in Xinjiang
Tabled: 23/03/21 Signatories: 8
Mr Alistair Carmichael
Navendu Mishra
Jim Shannon
John Spellar
Alison Thewliss
Layla Moran
Claire Hanna
That this House notes the growing evidence of atrocities against the Uyghurs in Xinjiang, the body
of opinion that the atrocities meet the legal definitions of genocide and crimes against humanity,
and formal determinations of this genocide and crimes against humanity by the US Administration,
and the parliaments of Canada and the Netherlands; is concerned that the UK Government failed
to make the relevant determination of the nature of the atrocities against Uyghurs in Xinjiang,
including an assessment of the risk factors of genocide, to determine whether there was a
serious risk of genocide and to trigger its duty to prevent contrary to the 2007 judgment of the
International Court of Justice, and failed to inform its responses to the atrocities, including by
imposing the Magnitsky sanctions against all those most responsible for the atrocities, banning the
import of products tainted in the atrocities; and calls upon the UK Government to implement the
2007 judgment of the International Court of Justice by conducting its own assessment of the serious
risk of genocide and recognising the atrocities for what they are, genocide and crimes against
humanity, and triggering the duty to prevent, including by imposing the Magnitsky sanctions
against all those responsible for the atrocities, banning imports tainted by the atrocities, including
by modern day slavery, and leading or supporting UN initiatives to establish a UN Human Rights
Council or UN General Assembly's mechanism to collect and preserve the evidence of the atrocities
against the Uyghurs to ensure accountability in the future.
1685 Unauthorised encampments: criminalisation of trespass
Tabled: 23/03/21 Signatories: 16
Andy Slaughter
Martin Docherty-Hughes
Caroline Lucas
Deidre Brock
John McDonnell
Kim Johnson
Mick Whitley Stephen Farry Ian Byrne
That this House believes the response to unauthorised encampments by Gypsies and Travellers lies
not in criminalising trespass but by providing sufficient permanent and temporary sites and by
greater use of negotiated stopping; is concerned that Part 4 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and
Courts Bill will destroy a nomadic way of life that has existed in Britain since the early sixteenth
century; notes that the local authority Gypsy and Traveller sites which currently exist in England
only came into being because of the duty to provide sites established by the Caravan Sites ActFriday 26 March 2021 EARLY DAY MOTIONS 9
1968 but repealed by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994; further notes that the Welsh
Government have reintroduced a duty to meet the assessed need for sites through Section 103 of
the Housing (Wales) Act 2014; urges the UK Government to accept the reintroduction of such a duty
as essential to avoid breaching the human rights of Gypsies and Travellers; and requests that Part
4 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill should be withdrawn immediately and replaced
with a legal duty to provide adequate permanent and temporary sites.
1686 Energy cost postcode lottery
Tabled: 23/03/21 Signatories: 6
Jamie Stone
Jim Shannon
Jonathan Edwards
Steven Bonnar
Ben Lake
Neale Hanvey
That this House recognises that people pay more for their energy bills based on the region in which
they live; notes that the north of Scotland has the highest annual energy rate anywhere in the
UK; notes that this amounts to an unacceptable regional disparity; acknowledges that the big six
energy companies hold a monopoly over regional infrastructure; in addition recognises the profits
generated by those energy companies during the coronavirus pandemic as individuals remained
at home; and calls on the Government to decentralise the UK’s energy system to allow smaller
companies to enter the market and provide affordable energy rates.
1688 Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence
Tabled: 23/03/21 Signatories: 26
Rushanara Ali
Rachel Hopkins
Claudia Webbe
Jim Shannon
Apsana Begum
Jonathan Edwards
Carol Monaghan Mohammad Yasin Ed Davey
Stephen Timms Layla Moran Mr Virendra Sharma
That this House celebrates the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan in
1971 and recognises the historical significance of this milestone; commemorates all those who
sacrificed their lives for the freedom and independence of Bangladesh and its citizens; commends
and recognises the economic and social progress Bangladesh has made; celebrates the strong
relationship between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom; recognises the importance of this
partnership in continuing the pursuit of the ideals of the founder of an independent Bangladesh,
of freedom, democracy and human rights; recognises the contributions of Bangladesh for hosting
Rohingya refugees fleeing genocide in Myanmar; and urges the Government to refrain from
making reductions to international aid spending in Bangladesh, in light of recent reductions to the
UK aid budget following the merger of the Department for International Development and the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office.10 Friday 26 March 2021 EARLY DAY MOTIONS
1690 Proposal for a Proportional Property Tax to replace council tax
Tabled: 24/03/21 Signatories: 2
Grahame Morris
Bell Ribeiro-Addy
That this House supports the Government's proposals to rebalance the economy and promote the
levelling up agenda; recognises the urgent need to reform the outdated system of council tax which
is almost 30 years old and bears no resemblance to the current disparities of house prices; believes
that council tax is an effective wealth tax for people living in modest homes placing the heaviest
tax burden on young people, low-earners, and those living in less prosperous regions; supports
the Fairer Share campaign to replace council tax and stamp duty with a progressive Proportional
Property Tax; notes that that campaign's proposed policy would be revenue neutral while lowering
property taxes for 19 million households; welcomes that proposed policy's option of a deferral
mechanism for a small minority of households who are asset rich but cash poor, allowing the tax
to be paid upon a change of ownership; and calls on the Government to acknowledge the need
for reform and to begin the preparations for a transition from council tax to a fair and progressive
Proportional Property Tax.
1691 Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day 2021
Tabled: 24/03/21 Signatories: 23
Mary Kelly Foy
Kate Osborne
Navendu Mishra
Apsana Begum
Zarah Sultana
Ian Byrne
Rosie Duffield Tonia Antoniazzi Seema Malhotra
Sir Mike Penning
That this House notes that Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day takes place on 25 March 2021; supports
the ambition to raise awareness of cerebral palsy; welcomes the publication of the report by
the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cerebral Palsy entitled Early identification, intervention
and pathways of care of infants and young children with cerebral palsy: The case for reform and
investment; is grateful for the contributions of those who submitted evidence for that report;
further welcomes the recommendations contained within that report; and calls on the Government
to enact the recommendations in that report at the earliest opportunity.
1692 Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Ranked Third in the World by QS
University Rankings
Tabled: 24/03/21 Signatories: 2
Alison Thewliss
Neale Hanvey
That this House congratulates the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland for placing among the top three
universities in the world for Performing Arts, according to the QS University Rankings; celebrates
the tireless work and dedication of that Conservatoire's staff and students who have made that
Conservatoire a centre of excellence for the arts and who have met the enormous challenges posed
by the covid-19 pandemic with great resilience and creativity; recognises the success of the RCS at
Home programme in connecting artists from around the globe and bringing joy and comfort to
many during a time of unprecedented hardship; and acknowledges the vital role that ConservatoireFriday 26 March 2021 EARLY DAY MOTIONS 11
will play in healing our communities after the covid-19 pandemic through their learning and
collaborative opportunities, and wonderful concert programming.
1693 First use of Naloxone by Police Scotland
Tabled: 24/03/21 Signatories: 4
Alison Thewliss
Neale Hanvey
Jonathan Edwards
Stewart Malcolm McDonald
That this House recognises the work carried out by Police Scotland and the Drug Deaths Taskforce
in supporting frontline police officers to carry and administer the opioid overdose reversal spray
Naloxone; acknowledges that this constitutes an important step in combating the drug death
epidemic which is scarring our communities; celebrates the quick thinking of the two officers in
Glasgow who, within a few hours of receiving training, were the first to successfully administer
Naloxone and who no doubt saved a life that would have been otherwise lost; and commends
the public health approach employed by Police Scotland in dealing with the tragedy of drug-
related deaths.
1694 The 150th anniversary of The Dunoon Observer and Argyllshire Standard
Tabled: 24/03/21 Signatories: 2
Brendan O'Hara
Neale Hanvey
That this House congratulates the Dunoon Observer and Argyllshire Standard on the occasion
of its 150th anniversary of providing the people of Dunoon and the Cowal peninsula with their
weekly news; acknowledges that since the first edition of the then titled Argyllshire Standard and
Advertiser for the Coast rolled off the presses in March 1871 with a front page that gave equal
prominence to the Franco-Prussian War, the events at Dunoon Sheriff Court and the cattle sale at
Kilmun, the paper has remained relevant, local and fiercely independent; notes that despite many
challenges over the past fifteen decades, including two World Wars, the Dunoon Observer and
Argyllshire Standard has never missed a publication date and has become a cherished and much
valued institution in the local community; thanks everyone who has worked so hard to keep the
paper going for the past 150 years and wishes the current custodian of the editor’s chair, Gordon
Neish, every success in navigating the Dunoon Observer and Argyllshire Standard through these
challenging times and wishes the newspaper every success in the future.
1697 Strike at SPS Technologies
Tabled: 24/03/21 Signatories: 20
Claudia Webbe
Grahame Morris
Kate Osborne
Rachel Hopkins
Mick Whitley
John McDonnell
Bell Ribeiro-Addy Jon Trickett Ian Lavery
Zarah Sultana Richard Burgon Ian Byrne
Ian Mearns Ms Diane Abbott Mary Kelly Foy12 Friday 26 March 2021 EARLY DAY MOTIONS
Dawn Butler Beth Winter Nadia Whittome
Kim Johnson
That this House notes that staff at aerospace parts firm SPS Technologies in Leicester are taking
strike action against management proposals to dismiss and re-engage employees on inferior
contracts, a practice commonly known as “fire and rehire”; further notes that SPS made 200
members of staff at its Barkby Road site redundant last summer instead of furloughing them, and
that the imposed changes will see the salaries of the remaining 280 workers cut by between £2,500
and £3,000 and result in reductions to overtime pay, sick pay, paid breaks, shift premiums and other
terms and conditions; believes that this is an appalling way for SPS to treat its committed staff,
who have worked throughout the pandemic to keep the company operational; calls on SPS to take
the shameful threat of “fire and rehire” off the table and start negotiating with Unite the union
in good faith to secure a long-term future for the company and its workforce; and further calls on
the Government to introduce legislation outlawing this abusive employment practice as a matter
of urgency.You can also read
